Last Post of the Year

Wow - another year is over. A lot happened this year. For one, I started blogging. I got a new job. We got a new car (and had to say goodbye to a good old car). No one in my family died. I became a knitting fanatic. My needlework suffered mightily. My scrap booking slowed down a lot. We explored the northern coast of California and became familiar with Southern Oregon. Did I mention I became obsessed with knitting?

Let's get the latest finished objects out of the way, shall we?



Heelless Sleeping Socks for my mother-in-law. Yes, I was in a rut. There's one additional pair to follow. The pattern is from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. These are the easiest things to knit, and they are soooo comfortable. I will make more of these in the future, no doubt. The yarn used was Scarlet Fleece It's Tubular X2 in the colorway Favorite Jeans. Knitted on size 3US needles.



A pair for me - Interlacements Tiny Toes in Reds Plus (#205). All other info is the same as the previous pair.

Charity knitting - Chemo Hats from Knit Picks, yarn is Knit Picks Shine Sport:


Colorway Sand


Colorway Orchid

I also knitted Christmas ornaments - mini socks. I also knit a Sock Blocker Key Chain Sock for my MIL.





It takes approximately 35 minutes to complete one sock. I really learned to appreciate the 2 hours of commute time on weekdays.

Also, for my mother's birthday, I made her an Advent Calendar. She loves the albums I put together for her, and this year I went all out. Last year, I removed all the negatives and slides from her house. The place is devoid of humidity (she lives near Palm Springs and either the air conditioner or heat are going). The Bay Area is very moist compared to her region, and we don't have the dehydration unit in our house. My Dad loved to take pictures, and had a thing for slides. I brought home 18 reels of slides - 1800 pictures. There were about that many negatives as well. I have been a busy bee. Anyway, after some restoration work (dust, scratches, fading, etc.) I came up with a small selection of goodies from the early years and slapped them in a book with fancy paper and ribbons and such. Here is the title page, as an example:



If you want to see the rest of it, you have to go here. I have to admit, it's probably my finest work to date as far as "creating" an album.

This was a rough year, and I am thankful I discovered the community of knitters. The craft and those that belong to it made my world a much richer place. I certainly improved my skill level, and have truly begun to appreciate the feel of a well crafted wool sock. I almost wish it would stay cool enough year round so that I could always enjoy my knitted creations. Alas, I love my sandals far too much. My stash, which was insane prior to the beginning of the year, grew enough so that I am now scared. I really need to bust it out in 2008. Having a real job again should curtail my shopping sprees. Then again, as long as I have Internet access, I'm still in trouble (Loopy Ewe order placed tonight - 4 more skeins - damn, but they were pretty).

Thanks for stopping by and seeing what I am up to. Drop a comment every now and then. It's fun to get them.

Happy New Year!

Still alive - I think

Yes, it's been forever since my last post. I started a new job Oct. 22nd, and it's been interesting. I was very used to setting my own schedule and prioritizing. Not so much anymore. Combine that with a trip to Las Vegas, a trip to Idaho and just the usual stresses of life, and well, I'm what you would call "behind".

I have been busily knitting away on my commute every day. I have around 2 hours a day on the train, so that allows for some decent knitting time. I have finished a several pairs of sleeping socks and mini socks for Christmas ornaments. I also finished a couple of chemo hats, started the Einstein Coat, and made a dent in my husband's sweater.

I am enjoying my new job very much. It is a renewable energy finance company, and they hired me to run the mortgage division. This is my third start-up in this field, and it gives me great reasons to get up every day. The guys I work with are wonderful and very supportive. Even with the market being in such distress, due to the niche factor of the product, I truly believe we will be successful and prosper. The only drawback is that I am up before 6am and home hopefully by 6pm. It makes for a very long day, and I always worry about wearing myself down. There are consequences when I let that happen.

With Christmas a week away, I was very pleased with myself that I was able to get my little gifts off to Norway for my aunts. This year it was mini socks that could be used as ornaments. They love that type of thing. I sent a pair to each of my aunts, and also a pair each to my two surviving uncles. It's been a few years since they got something fiber related, so that should be a good thing. They came out so cute.

I also did some for friends, which went out in my husband's annual "What Were They Thinking" Christmas CD. For the last 3 years, Hubby has put together some of the worst Christmas music ever made. It can't be intentionally bad, meaning that when it was recorded they intended for it to suck wind. He's including a Christmas Pageant piece this year from an elementary school band performance. Parents suffer so much for the sake of their kids. There are some real winners this year, which I am sure will delight several recipients (under the age of 15 - they love this stuff). A friend of ours puts out the "pretty" Christmas Cd, and Hubby's is the antithesis. It all balances out in the end.

I bet you want to see what I have been working on. I am not up to date on my pictures so this posting will be for some of the stuff I finished in November. In the immortal words of Peter Pan, "here we goooooo..........."



Yes, another Chemo Hat. The yarn is Knit Picks Shine Sport in the colorway Violet. The pattern is free from Knit Picks.



From Knitting Vintage Socks, these are Heelless Sleeping Socks. The yarn in Scarlet Fleece in the colorway Easter Basket. Beautiful yarn, easy pattern. In fact, so easy, I have repeated it 4 times!



Here is another one of the those "times". These are also made with Scarlet Fleece, in the colorway Wrangler.

I have another pair I need to post that I finished up earlier this month, and then there are the 28 or so mini socks. Too cute!

I'm being a bad girl and posting while on my lunch hour. Next time there will be a link to an album I created for my Mom for Christmas - an advent calendar. Sorry, no knitting, no stitching. Just paper, ribbons and embellishments. Yes, I scrapbook too. It's a wonder I have time to sleep or eat.

More to follow - stay tuned!

My a-ha moment of the day

I was not a fan-girl (comic book geek), until after I met my husband. He, on the other hand, has loved comics since he was a young lad, Spider-Man especially. So when I came across this quiz, and got the results, I said "a-ha" that makes sense.

Your results:
You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man 95% Green Lantern 85% Iron Man 70% Superman 55% Supergirl 52% Wonder Woman 52% Robin 50% Catwoman 35% Hulk 30% Batman 25% The Flash 20%

You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.

Click here to take the "Which Superhero are you?" quiz.....


Who knew? So, here's my question - is he Mary Jane? No, we won't go there. Personally, I was hoping for Catwoman, because I loved that comic when Jim Balant was involved, but I guess I'm not meant to be a "bad-girl".

Socktober - aka When I Lost My Mind

I don't know what happened this month, but I guess I wanted to be an over achiever. My sock knitting mojo was in high gear. I rocked the socks. Ok, enough of that. You get it.

So, last post there were 3 pair - Sock Wars (Scar), Broken Rib and the Heelless. Not bad even for a month's worth of knitting. And let's not forget the mini's! Let's add a few more....



Ribbed Ankle Socks made from the leftover yarn from Scar. I had less than 18" of yarn left when I kitchnered the toe on sock two. I thought I would have to unravel my gauge swatch! Meilenweit 6fach Special #8842, knit on size 3US needles, with an improvised pattern.



I call them Ladyslipper Socks. Mountain Colors 4/8's Wool in the colorway Ladyslipper, knit on 5US needles. The pattern was again improvised.

The next two wouldn't have happened without that wonderful sock tome Sensational Knitted Socks.



Moss Stitch Socks in Lorna's Laces Swirl DK in the colorway Lakeview. Knit on 3US needles. I have had this is my stash for almost 3 years. I loved this colorway, but just didn't know what to do with it. I like to wear cuddly socks at night, and these ended up being perfect. With only two skeins, the possible projects really only lent themselves to scarves, socks, and mitts/gloves. I only use one of these with any regularity. Take a guess?!



Twin Rib Socks in Lorna's Laces Swirl DK, colorway Purple Club. Also knit on size 3US needles. Hey, I figured I was on a role, and the other pair had worked out so well, why not.

And I finished two more Chemo Hats.




I used Knit Picks Sport Shine in the colors Willow and Hydrangea, size 3US needles. I think I've done 22 of these now.

I'm just a busy bee. Buzz. Buzz.

I started a new job and it's totally cool and I'm loving all of it accept the commute. And my body really hates 6 am. Really hates it. I'm sitting here at 9:47 PDT, and could go to bed now and be perfectly happy. I would be asleep before my head hit the pillow. It sucks! I get my best work done between the hours of 10 pm and 3 am. It so sucks getting old. Seriously.

Anyway, I decided to embark on a new adventure the same week I was negotiating the particulars of my new job. I decided to start a Knit-a-long, because I am addicted to sock yarn and need all the support I can get.

If you are a sock knitter, or like many of us, collect sock yarn, join us as we reclaim our storage space an dignity. Check out the Sock Stash Elimination Campaign. Be a soldier in the war against insurmountable stash! Ok, it's a little hokey, but it's all in good fun.

Until next time - Carpe Lamun!

A Really Long Update

This is what happens when I fail to post as I complete or do stuff. It backlogs and I feel bad. So get your adult beverage of choice and enjoy the post.

September Baby Hats

I wanted to do some baby hats for Hats for Alex. I managed eight! The yarn used was Lion Brand Baby Soft in Pastel Yellow and Candy Print. Here they are...


Ribbed Baby Hat - pretty typical ribbed pattern - single strand


Lattice Baby Hat - alternated rows of stockinette and rib - double strands


Spiral Eyelet Hat - single strand


Raindrops Baby Hat - a combination of single and double strand - when stretched there is a faint pattern.


Rolled Brim Hat - double strand


Subtle Strip Hat - alternating yarns for a striped effect.


Spiral Eyelet V.2 - single strand


Seeded Hat - double strand - alternating k1p1 to create the seeded pattern

So that is it for the hats. Aren't they cute?

The Bag

I wanted to create a felted hand bag, and embellish they hell out of it. Here is the bag felted:



I used a little over 2 skeins of 2 Cascade 220 colors (8912 & 5015). The fabric is dense and rigid, which is what I wanted. I will be lining it. I have finished beading it and adding some surface embroidery. Once it's lined, I will post and update. I wrote a pattern for this, and I want to do it again to see what I need to do to bring it under 4 skeins of Cascade. When I have it done, I will post the pattern.

All Scarfs Should Be Made from Alpaca Blends

I had two skeins of Cascade Bulky Leisure, which is a 50/50 blend of Alpaca and Cotton. OMG it is so soft! I had planned on this going to the Red Scarf Project, but I had already made two scarfs and they had asked for quality not quantity. The other two were machine washable, and this is most assuredly not. So I got out the stitch dictionary, and decided to use the Moss Stitch.


The picture doesn't do it justice. The color is a much deeper red. I want it to get cold so I can wear it.

We're better than half way through.

Another Chemo Hat

I still have enough yarn for at least 10 more Chemo Hats, so I thought I would get another done. I have completed this pattern so many times, I now can get it done in one night.



And Then There Were Socks

So here are three of the 4 pairs of socks I have done this month.


A whole bunch of Mini Socks for my Sock Blocker Key Chain. I now have a mini sock for every pair of socks that I have made.


I call these Broken Rib. This is a pattern I wrote myself, and I am quite happy with it. I will be testing it again before I publish it. I used 2 skeins of Regia Design Line Kaffe Fasset #4252 on size 0US needles.


Heelless Sleeping Socks, from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. The yarn is Super Socks Color, 2 skeins in #29 and knit using 2US needles.

I participated in Sock Wars this year, and I "died" today. I was able to "kill" my target, so I have that. It was brief, but fun. These are the socks that I knit:


Lana Grossa Meilenweit 6fach Special, the pattern is Scar by Julie Gardner and I used 3US needles. There was enough yarn left over to make a pair of ankle socks. I will post that in a separate entry later this week, along with the other stuff I finished the last couple of nights.

Well, that's it for now. I will be posting again tomorrow or Thursday with some cool news. Come back and check it out!

Thanks for stopping by.

No Soliciting

Has our populace become so illiterate that they don't know what it means, or is it simply that it applies to everyone else accept them? Seriously, the No Soliciting sign is on the screen door, right next to the handle they have to open to knock on the entry door. IT IS IS PLAIN VIEW.

Since I have been home a lot this year - lack of work will do that - I have had the opportunity to talk to many strangers ON MY OWN PORCH. When there is a knock at the door, I assume that it is a delivery. Half the time it is. The other half is made up of college students selling magazines for a special trip or something, or it's home security and cable salesmen. Poor souls, they obviously are doing this because they DON'T KNOW HOW TO READ.

Case in point - today a very nice young lady was selling magazines door to door. This is some kind of point system to earn scholarships and trips overseas. I was polite to her, as she complained that a lot of people had slammed the door in her face. I told her I wasn't interested in purchasing a new subscription. I was offered renewals, I declined. I told her I only get a couple of magazines a month, and they were not usually offered through these types of programs. She said I could give them as a gift. Again, I declined.

I maintained a nice conversational tone with her, even though I feel like crap today. I have some kind of flu/cold bug and I can't turn off the faucet that is my nose. I wished her luck and stated again that I just wasn't interested. As she was turning away, she said usually people that were this nice to her and talked to her bought a subscription so she could win. Huh? I'm supposed to feel bad that I can't afford to give her money for a subscription that I will never see? (I've been burned three times by these things.) Should I have just yelled at her "can't you read - get off my porch"? Or should I have just scowled at her through the window until she felt intimidated enough to run away?

This isn't the first time this has happened. Because I answered the knock on my door that means I want whatever they have. When did civility and decency take a vacation? Or are manners too old fashioned for those under the age of 25?

No offense to those out there who appreciate and practice good manners, but I know when I was 18-20 years old I knew that it was polite to open doors for the elderly or give them my seat on the train. I still do that at 42. Case in point last Friday. A mother with 2 small children got on the train in Oakland. Two teenagers were sitting next to the door. She asked if they could give up their seats for her children. She was ignored. I offered my seat to the mother, and the lady sitting next to me offered to get up as well. It was them I noticed this mother was pregnant. What made it worse, the teenagers got off at the next stop.

Recently, we took my mom on a weekend getaway to Solvang, a little Danish town north of Santa Barbara. It was a busy weekend, since they were celebrating Danish Days. Twice, my mother was bumped by a young person so caught up in their conversation they couldn't be bothered to look where they were going. One person through a "sorry" over their shoulder, the other didn't. She's 80 years old. She had to step out of the way of many people that weekend.

Is this what we have come to? We are so absorbed with our own importance that we can't see how our lack of empathy and civility affects others? I don't like where society is headed and much of it comes from what isn't taught at home anymore.

OK, since I can't change the world as a whole, I can stop one thing in my immediate sphere of influence. I did something that I will probably regret, but I am sick and tired of getting attitude from strangers that come to my house. I typed up a note and put it in my front window. If you are looking up when you come up my steps, you can't miss it. If you can't read, it won't matter. It says:

No Soliciting

That means if you are selling, promoting or offering services, we are not interested.

Don't knock.

Don't leave your flyer's.

Thank you.

USPS, UPS, FedEx and those with legitimate business and personal matters are welcome.

Not too harsh. But at least if they still knock, I can refer them to the local reading program. Any suggestions? I have considered a big Stop sign at the base of the stairs - like a silhouette of a salesman with the circle and line through it. No, they won't think it's for them. I wish I could rig a device that when they knocked a recording would play of a snarling, ferociously big barking dog. Maybe that would keep the "solicitors" away. No, they are probably used to that. Oh well. I guess I'll have to resort to door slamming after all.

Coupling Socks

I don't know which surprised me more - that it took me almost two months to finished these, or that if I had just worked on them they would have been done in 4 days. I finished the first one as we were driving through Santa Barbara last weekend. I learned two new techniques with these: a short row heel with a heel flap and a tubular bind off.

I liked the pattern. I liked the yarn. I like the way they look. I like the way they fit. Maybe they took so long because they aren't they type of sock knitting that allows for glancing.

I like to look up from my work in regular intervals. It allows for TV watching and taking in the scenery. These were not conducive to that habit. That's probably what took so long. In any case, I cast in another pair of socks on Friday and I still have a pair of Tofutsies on the needles that I need to finish.

Here are the specs: Fleece Artist Sea Wool in the colorway Parrot. Knit using the 2 circ method with size 2US needles. The pattern in Coupling for knitty.com.

Here are the socks completed:



Here is the detail:



They are pretty, fit very well, and I am sure will become a favorite before long. I can also say these are the first toe up socks that I have made where I am completely happy with the bind off. The cuff is loose and comfortable!

Utter cuteness

The hazard of knitting lots of projects is accumulating a lot of little balls of left over yarn. There usually isn't enough to make a functional item with what's left, unless you start combining.

I came across a key chain a few months ago. It's a mini sock blocker. Debbie Jennings of Felt Up Designs came up with a great idea. For $3.00 (plus s&H) you get a cute accessory and a pattern. Quite frankly, I love mine.

Here are my first batch of mini socks:


(LtoR top : Koigu, Zarina, Cherry Tree Hill, Schaefer Anne, Austermann
LtoR bottom: Opal, Socks That Rock, Jitterbug, Jitterbug, Koigu)

One note about the pattern - the recommended needle size created a sock too small for the sock blocker. I had to move up 2 needle sizes for them to fit properly. In fact, it's the 2nd one in from the right on the bottom row. I've knit a few more since I finished these, but I still have to sew in ends, add a loop, etc. I have about 4 more finished. They knit up quickly, use less than 20 yards and can be coordinated with the socks I am wearing that day. My goal is to knit a mini sock in all the yarns I have used for socks.

If you knit socks, you need a sock blocker key chain. Show off - be proud of your skills!!

Adventures in Felting

I really-really-really wanted to do some felting. So I dug out some feltable wool and got to knitting.

The first one I did was a pattern called Sophie, which I found at magknits.com. The designer is Julie Anderson. She has designed some cute bags. I decided to try the SWTC Karaoke that I purchased at Foggy Bottoms in Ferndale earlier this summer.

Here is the yarn:



Here is the bag knitted:



Here is the bag felted:



That little jar in the picture is a small Gerber food jar, used for perspective. One thing about Karaoke I learned is that once it starts to felt, it goes quick! This came out much smaller than I would have liked. Oh well, live and learn.

Next, I pulled out the Nashua Handknits Wooly Stripes Tweed and knit two things. The first was the Booga Bag from Black Sheep Bags. The other was Special Companions from knitkit.com. Here are the results:

Yarn....



Booga Bag knitted......



Booga Bag felted.....



Special Companions knitted.....



Special Companions felted.....



Not too bad. I was happy with the overall results and now feel comfortable to move on to bigger projects.

Check back for other felting results!

Tropicana Socks

Tropicana Socks
Originally uploaded by solslett.

Well, they are finally done. This languished in the knitting basket for a while. Maybe it had something to do with the color. Red, purple and blue a typical combination for me, and they remind me of the Red Hat Society.

I found the pattern at magknits.com. It's by Sabine Riefler. I used Opal Neon, color 3 1935. Because of the fine gauge and tugging required for the feather and fan pattern, I used metal needles in a size 2.5mm. I figured if I used ANY of my wooden needles, they would snap like twigs! They yarn was a gift from The Loopy Ewe when I became a groupie.

I misspoke in my last post. I thought these would be pair number 27, when in fact they are pair number 26. I miscounted. Oh well.

Feeling a little blah

See, there's this site called Ravelry. It's this place where knitters, and crocheters, hang out on the net. It's like an exclusive club right now, because you have to be invited to join (beta testing - can only add so many at a time, otherwise, crash!). It's very cool, and a total time drain. I'm loving it.

What's the problem? I have project envy. I see all the cool stuff people are doing and my stuff looks boring. It is boring. Hats and squares and snuggle blankets are boring. Yes, they benefit others, but they are b-o-r-i-n-g. The socks are cool - they are not boring. I have finished a couple since I started Ravelry, and at least I have evidence that I knit something other than stockinette and garter stitch.

I've gotten stuck in a production knitting rut. I need to break out - but I also want to finish the stuff I've started. Like some others whose blogs I frequent, I am suffering from startitis.

I've cast on a new sock, and I'll post about that later. It's toe up (yuck) on two circs (yuck) and lace work (ok). It's not that I can't knit toe up, or on circs, I just think my socks look better using 4 to5 dpns and cuff down. It's probably the short row heels that I dislike the most, and they don't fit me as well as a heel flap.

I think I want to knit a lace shawl. Yeah, I think that's what's bugging me. But for now, I will go finish a sock. All I have left is the toe. Pair 27 for 2007 nearing completion!

A Full Plate - job hunting, a new car and endless squares

There are days when I would love to say that I am swamped at work, or work has been keeping me really busy. No such luck. Those close to me know that I have been looking for work for some time now. It has been very stressful, very depressing, and very aggravating.

OFFICIAL RANT

Why is it that common courtesy has gone out the window? For every 10 jobs I submit an application or resume I receive some type of response, such as "we've received your resume". Of all the jobs that I have applied for, I have received less than two dozen letters/emails saying thank you, but no thank you. How difficult is it to just send off an email saying that they have received the resume and will contact if interested? At least I would know that someone looked at it. Idiots.

I have been in the mortgage and real estate industry for 15 years. My last position was as a Vice President of Operations for a Mortgage Brokerage. I think I have industry leprosy. I am overqualified/under qualified. My background is too "specialized". They won't be able to pay me what I was accustomed to, so I won't be happy. Because of my previous position, a manager may feel that I will not be happy as a subordinate. I would be happy just getting a job, and if I didn't want to do the job I applied for, I WOULDN'T HAVE APPLIED FOR IT!!!!! As a grown woman, I find it slightly annoying that so many people are concerned for what would make me happy. Idiots.

Every morning, I start my current job of finding a job. I have several search engines set up within the various job seeking websites. These are emailed to me, sometime several times a day. I review them, send out the resumes with the customized cover letters, and have come to expect nothing. I have created 8 different resumes, so as to appeal to that specific employer or industry. On only one of the resumes does it mention my VP title. Otherwise, I list it as Operations or Office Manager. I can't change the company name or the industry, but I don't use industry lingo on 6 of them. I don't know what else to do. Idiots.

If anyone has any suggestions, email me at solslett at gmail dot com, or post something here. There's something missing and I need fresh perspective. And yes, I have gone the route of Employment Agencies, and even they have waffled on what they can do. 40,000 people in the mortgage industry have lost their jobs THIS YEAR. That doesn't take into account those laid off last year, or those that were on commission only. In the SF Bay Area, I would say that close to 10,000 industry related positions have gone by the wayside since Summer 2006. It's worse than most people think, and we're not done yet.

RANT OVER

So, what else is new.....

Kevin got his new car! Here it is .....

It is so pretty, with all kinds of modern gadgets like key less entry, cruise control, power windows, car alarm and an iPod Jack. I think this iron works and pottery shop were in American Canyon, but if we had enough "throw-away" money, we would have a T-Rex in our yard. Kevin thinks that a mail box in his mouth would be pretty cool. It would be the talk of the neighborhood.

As part of our day trip to the Napa Wine Country this past weekend, we visited my favorite winery, V. Sattui

and tried Taylors Refresher in St. Helena.

Contrary to the expression posted here, Kevin was enjoying himself. We did have to stand in line for almost 45 minutes, but how many places are there that serve Ahi Burgers? If you didn't catch it on the Food Network, Taylor's has the #2 rated Hamburger in the US. That's what I had. It was tasty. It was a lovely day. The car is a dream. If only there weren't car payments.

So, what else have I been up to since my last post? We took a trip to Sacramento to see my prize winning entries. Here I am with my first place winner..

The ribbon is huge!!! And it is so cool!!! The 3rd prize winner was in the same display as the Best in Show. It was a seasonal keepsake box; the lids were interchangeable. I know what I have to do to get Best in Show next year. I have it in me!


I've been knitting squares again. This time in the shape of dishcloths, burp cloths and small 4.5" squares for a blanket. They look something like this:

There were also the hats:

There were more, but it starts to look the same after a while. And I worked on a blanket for the Linus Project, am trying to finish up a pair of socks (I'm turning the heel tonight on the 2nd sock), and in general trying to reduce the stash. I am making progress, so I have no complaints.

If you want to see some more photos, check out Flickr, or if you are a member of Ravelry you'll find me there under the user name solslett.

I promise it won't be two weeks before I post again.

Thanks for stopping by!